Theatre Oxford Wins State Title for Almost, Maine, Will Perform at SETC

Theatre Oxford captured the Mississippi Theatre Association’s top prize for overall production for Almost, Maine, a win that qualifies the company to compete at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga in March. The group announced a send-off fundraiser performance at the Powerhouse set for 7:30 p.m. on March 3 with admission listed as “give what they can” to help defray travel and participation costs.

Director Debra Anderson said the company shifted to a donation-based admission after a recent ice storm disrupted traditional fundraiser plans and because asking for a large ticket price felt insensitive while many in the community are still recovering. The March 3 show is explicitly billed as both a send-off for the cast and a way to raise funds to offset expenses associated with the regional competition.

Anderson chose Almost, Maine by John Cariani in part because of its vignette-style structure and small casts, a practical decision given the compressed rehearsal timeline. “We only had a few weeks to prepare,” Anderson said. “The judges appeared to appreciate that simplicity, as well as the performances.” Anderson also acknowledged the company’s surprise at the outcome: “We are so shocked! Since we threw it together so quickly, we did not think we had a chance of placing, let alone winning.”

Theatre Oxford’s cast for Almost, Maine includes Danica Boyd, Jason Boyd, Courtney Mize, Gavin Lane, Tori Hutchinson, Justin Wadkins and Meaghin Burke, with Allison Able Walcott serving as stage manager. Individual acting honors at the Mississippi Theatre Association festival went to Courtney Mize, Gavin Lane and Justin Wadkins, each receiving an Outstanding Achievement in Acting award.

The state-level top prize was awarded at the MTA’s annual festival, which was held in Oxford this year, and that recognition is the qualification that advances the production to the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga during March. Anderson noted the competitive step up at SETC, saying Theatre Oxford will face community theaters with significantly larger budgets.

Practical details for supporters: the Powerhouse performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on March 3 and admission will be donation-based under the “give what they can” approach; proceeds are intended to offset travel and participation costs for the company’s regional appearance. The MTA award secures the company the opportunity to compete at SETC in March, and the March 3 send-off is positioned to cover part of the expense of taking Almost, Maine to Chattanooga.